CLEMSON, S.C. — The postseason begins for 2 seed Kentucky softball this Friday as the Wildcats face 3 seed Northwestern in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament's Clemson Regional. With both teams eyeing a run to the Super Regionals, every pitch will count.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch Kentucky’s first-round matchup:
📅 Game info
Matchup: No. 2 seed Kentucky (29-18-1) vs. No. 3 seed Northwestern (29-22)
- Date: Friday, May 16
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Clemson, South Carolina
- Watch: ESPN+
📺 How to watch the game
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+, which requires a subscription.
To watch:
Visit this link to get to the game directly or open the ESPN app.
Log in using your ESPN+ account OR a TV provider that includes ESPN+ (e.g. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Dish).
Navigate to the NCAA Softball section to find the Kentucky vs. Northwestern game.
🧠 Tip: If you're unsure whether your provider offers ESPN+, check your account settings or call customer support before first pitch.
🔍 What to know about Northwestern
Kentucky draws a dangerous Northwestern team that boasts a balanced lineup and aggressive base running. The Wildcats (yes, they're Wildcats too) are hitting .290 as a team, with a pair of standout bats:
- Isabel Cunnea leads the team with a .357 average and 24 RBIs.
- Kaylie Avvisato adds power and speed, batting .355 with 22 stolen bases.
- Grace Nieto and Kelsey Nader round out a dangerous top half of the lineup, both hitting over .340.
On the mound, Lauren Boyd leads Northwestern’s staff with a 2.57 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 109 innings. The team’s overall ERA is 3.73, with plenty of experience in the circle.
🔥 What it means for Kentucky
Kentucky, under head coach Rachel Lawson, is looking to advance out of the regional round after losing 5 in a row. To do so, they’ll need to get past a battle-tested Northwestern squad in Friday’s opener and likely face top-seeded Clemson in the next round.
A win Friday puts Kentucky in the driver’s seat for the double-elimination format. A loss, and the road to Oklahoma City gets much steeper.
📌 Bottom line
If Kentucky wants to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament, it starts Friday at 2 p.m. against a tough Northwestern squad. Make sure your ESPN+ subscription is ready, and settle in—this could be one of the best matchups of the first round.